10 things we will miss about Zambia

10. Collecting glass soda bottles & caps – Coke, Fanta (grape, orange & pineapple) & Mosi/Castle lager
9. Playing amidst the maze of gardens, courtyards, doors (especially the “red door” – see pic) & climbing trees at Juls guest house
8. Fresh produce – fruits & vegetables on nearly every corner.
7. Wonderful, smiling, friendly Zambian people – walking on the roadside, shopping, the staff at Juls & transit homes.
6. Unbelievable weather during the days – it did get a little cold during some of the nights.
5. Eating Zambian style nshima & beef with our fingers @ Bill-n-Betty’s
4. Victoria Falls and the game drive in Livingstone.
3. A cultural, historical, political & social education about Zambia from our taxi drivers.
2. Spending an awesome amount of quality time with our family here in Zambia.
1. Rolling around on the crawler’s room floor at the House of Moses

We spent the afternoon saying goodbye at the HOM. We heard some great news about one of the boys that we had grown pretty attached to – he was adopted on Thursday! Jeb also seemed to be very relaxed as he travelled around the room looking for places to play and create mischief (usually he would stay pretty close to Mandi or Jamie). We even saw a look of confidence in him when we were leaving that seemed to say “I know I’m going with ya’ll, so I’ll just keep playing over here.”

Our bags are packed for an early taxi ride to the airport, and we are excited to be heading home. The kids are talking about sleeping in their own beds (they have done well with having to sleep 3 to a double bed), eating certain foods & playing with friends. Even better we have heard them talk about things they look forward to doing with Jeb – ala building forts in the bonus room, playing in the driveway, etc. We will continue with the blog for a while, as we are trying to use it as a chronicle of Jeb’s story. It probably won’t be posted as often, but we look forward to adding the updates on his progress and how things are going with our family.

Thanks for being a part of this chapter. We know you were praying for us – it was an unbelievable experience!

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."